Informational Interviewing

Informational interviewing is an effective tool in your career planning. Quite simply, it involves talking to people who have jobs or work in industries that are of interest to you.

It gives you valuable information about career paths while you practice and polish your interviewing and interpersonal skills.

Informational interviewing can help you:

Investigate specific career paths and narrow your options

Develop a greater understanding of a particular industry, field or organization

Explore job possibilities and create a strategy for entering your field of interest

Build a network of professionals who know you and will help you

Become more confident in yourself and your abilities

Preparing for the Interview:

Have a clear idea of what industries or fields you want to explore. If you are just beginning your career planning, review the Majors and Careers resources to understand the types of jobs related to the various SBU majors.

Learn as much as you can about the industry, the company, and the individual you will be meeting with before the interview. The Career and Professional Readiness Center's Researching Employers resources may prove helpful. An informational interview is not an opportunity to “pick someone’s brain," but a chance to ask informed questions. Prepare your questions ahead of time.

Develop a list of possible contacts. Start with friends, relatives, neighbors, SBU faculty, etc., and broaden this list to include SBU alumni, members of professional associations, and others doing the type of work you want to do. To develop confidence, start with your closest contacts, then move to people you do not know. Keep track of your correspondence.

Arranging the Interview

It is acceptable to approach contacts either via e-mail or phone. Adhere to these guidelines:

Introduce yourself

If you were referred, mention the referring person’s name

Tell the person you are conducting career research and seeking advice only. This is not the time to ask for a job!